Nottinghamshire Coalmining

Annesley Colliery 1865 - 2000

By David Amos

The sinking of the twin shafts at Annesley Colliery commenced on 1st January 1865.  The Worswicks from Coleorton in Leicestershire developed the colliery on the estates of the Chaworth-Musters Family from Annesley Hall.  Coal was reached in the Top Hard seam in 1867 at a depth of approx 420 yards.
Apart from a short period in 1994-95 the colliery remained in production for 135 years until final closure by Midlands Mining Ltd in January 2000. The colliery was linked with Bentinck at the time and the closure of Annesley-Bentinck ended deep mining in the Ashfield region of Nottinghamshire. 

Photo:Annesley No.2 - 1907

Annesley No.2 - 1907

Photo:Annesley Colliery - Jan 1982

Annesley Colliery - Jan 1982

Photo:Pit Ponies at Annesley

Pit Ponies at Annesley

Photo:AM500 Shearer - Blackshale 1995 - Pete Smith shearer driver

AM500 Shearer - Blackshale 1995 - Pete Smith shearer driver

Photo:Mick Marriott - the end after 44 years!

Mick Marriott - the end after 44 years!

Photo:Coming off shift - 1966

Coming off shift - 1966

Photo:David Amos - Annesley 1986

David Amos - Annesley 1986

Photo:David Amos - last shift at the end of January 2000

David Amos - last shift at the end of January 2000

Photo:s10'S Face - Deep Soft seam 1978

s10'S Face - Deep Soft seam 1978

Photo:Annesley-Bentinck Record Breakers - November 1992

Annesley-Bentinck Record Breakers - November 1992

Photo:Ex Annesley Managers - Jack Hand and Vic Brown

Ex Annesley Managers - Jack Hand and Vic Brown

Photo:The Annesley Colliery Memorial - 2009

The Annesley Colliery Memorial - 2009

This page was added by David Amos on 15/09/2011.
Comments about this page

Former Annesley Colliery manager Vic Brown passed away in the Spring of 2012 aged 85 years old.

By David Amos
On 24/07/2012

I have recently been contacted by a TV Production Company from Melbourne (down under not the one near Swad in South Derbyshire!) who found details about Annesley Colliery on the Our Nottinghamshire website. They have asked permission to use the 1907 image of the pit in a one hour documentary about the 1932-33 controversial Bodyline Ashes tour due to be shown on Australian TV in November 2013 prior to the start of the next Ashes series (2013-14) down under. Shout down the shaft for a fast bowler!

By David Amos
On 19/08/2013

David Amos,came across your really interesting site about Annesley Colliery which brought back vivid memories 70 years ago. Was conscripted by Bevin scheme ended up working as the afternoon shift underground electrician for 4 years marrying a local miners daughter all very happy memories of a very kind and friendly mining community that accepted me into their midst.Thanks for the memories.Dave

By Dave
On 10/09/2013

Some great pictures, I am proud to have been a miner at this pit.

The one with the DECMT on 10s brings back memories, especially the height having to crawl through on your belly!

From Ganger to District Deputy in 20 yr, Not bad for a Miners son.

Great pit, Great lads..

By Peter Durant
On 14/06/2017

My mama was manageress in the canteen for many years and my grandad was a manager and top first aider . They lived in the houses straight opposite the big A at the pit front  Eric and Fay Harvey 

By Tara Jayne ford
On 18/10/2022

Hi folks can anyone help me with finding fellow miners who worked with my late father? Our family are from Tibshelf and Blackwell he had a long mining career and moved with our family to Cotgrave and after 42 years the dust had caught up with him  xx.

By Nigel Newbold
On 02/02/2023
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